Beluga Whales Pregnant At Shedd Aquarium

Shedd senior vice president Ken Ramirez said Tuesday that both female whales are healthy and staff at the aquarium remain "cautiously optimistic" about the pregnancies. Ramirez says the pregnancies have been progressing normally. The whales that are expecting are 23-year-old Puiji (poo-EE'-jee) and 20-year-old Naya (NY'-ah).

Shedd's beluga whale Naluark (nah-LOO'-ark) fathered both calves.

Shedd officials say the belugas should be pregnant for between 14 and 16 months. They'll still be on public display at the aquarium. Shedd has seven beluga whales.